Post by bot on Oct 2, 2016 16:37:15 GMT -5
Hoyer Statement on National Voter Registration Day
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on National Voter Registration Day:
“On National Voter Registration Day, it is important to remember that the right to register and vote was not always guaranteed or respected in our country. It took the hard work, sacrifice, and determined activism of so many Americans to ensure that the right of every adult citizen to participate in our democracy would not be restricted based on sex, race, income, or age. While we can look back with pride on the achievements of the movements for women’s suffrage, African-American voting rights, and lowering the voting age to eighteen, the difficult reality today is that we are seeing an erosion of many of the protections that were secured by those historic efforts.
“When the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, it opened the door for some states and municipalities to change voting and voter registration laws in ways that discriminate against minorities, seniors, and students. To rectify this, I’ve joined with others in Congress to introduce legislation that would restore these critical voting rights protections. I’ve also cosponsored legislation with Civil Rights Movement hero Rep. John Lewis to modernize voter registration and expand early voting opportunities for those who have difficulty missing work to cast their ballots on a Tuesday.
“Congress needs to step up and do everything it can to make certain that every eligible voter in this county can get registered and participate in our elections. Every voice deserves to be heard, and I hope everyone who can vote this year will register and participate.”